Bits & Bytes

This September Bits & Bytes celebrated one year on air. Initially Bits & Bytes started out as a newsletter to staff, but over time we realised we have too many interesting things to share, we just can’t keep it to ourselves anymore. But what more could we do?

The answer was obvious. With an audience of 30 000 listeners between the ages of 14 and 28, we knew MFM would be the perfect match. And so Bits & Bytes, the radio version was born. For the past year and a bit we had a weekly slot during the AM-PM-show at 11:45 on Tuesday mornings.

Initially Tian Petersen was the IT voice, but we decided to add some spice and Marc-Allen Johnson joined later.

Bits & Bytes on air isn’t another institutional mouthpiece to promote IT, but became a platform to discuss all kinds of technological developments, gadgets – some weird and some even handy. With each programme we try to combine news relevant to students and staff, as well as interesting developments on the technological front, in an informal style.

We do realise not everyone will be able to listen to the show due to limited access, therefore we have an alternative so you won’t miss out on anything. You can now also listen to the broadcasts online by browsing to WWW.SUN.AC.ZA/BB.

There you will find all 34 broadcasts Tian and Marc-Allen has done. Just click on the mp3 link. These clips are hosted within the SU network and won’t rocket your internet costs – so you can listen with ease. You’ll also find all previous versions of the Bits & Bytes newsletter.

If you do want to listen to the direct broadcast, tune in every second Tuesday at 11:45 on the AM to PM Show on MFM with Eduard and our two resident IT gurus, Tian and Marc-Allen. Click HERE to listen to MFM live.

You’re also welcome to send comments and questions during the show via Twitter and if there’s enough time Tian will address them. Tweet us at @ITStellenUni!

A month ago we proudly announced the arrival of a new IT segment every second Tuesday on MFM. (Read the article here)

The radio version of Bits & Bytes had it’s second successful broadcast on Tuesday and the feedback has been extremely positive. With each programme we try to combine news relevant to students and staff, as well as interesting developments on the technological front, in an informal style.

This week’s topics included e-mail storms, a new smart watch, our latest survey and news on the brand new IT Student Centre launching January 2014.

We do realise not everyone will be able to listen to the show due to limited access, therefore we have an alternative so you won’t miss out on anything. You can now also listen to the broadcasts online by browsing to www.sun.ac.za/bb. On the site you’ll find all the previous newsletters, as well as previous broadcasts. Just click on the mp3 link.

These clips are hosted within the SU network and won’t rocket your internet costs – so you can listen with ease.

If you do want to listen to the direct broadcast, tune in every second Tuesday at 11:45 on the AM to PM Show on MFM with Ella, Eduard and our resident IT guru, Tian.

You’re also welcome to send comments and questions during the show via Twitter and if there’s enough time Tian will address them. Tweet us at @ITStellenUni!

Until recently the common perception on campus has been that IT’s main responsibility is the maintenance and support of computers on campus. The people you call when your frustration levels have reached new heights and you have the urge to throw your pc out the window. Fortunately things are changing.

Previously two of IT’s departments, IT Technical Services (ITTS) and IT User Services (ITUS) functioned as two separate entities. However, to ensure that Information Technology stays at the forefront of technology and operates in line with the University’s key aims, the need arose to merge the two departments.

ITTS and ITUS will henceforth function as one department – IT Infrastructure and User Support. The main focus will primarily be Research and Development, Network Infrastructure and Telephone Systems and Hardware and Software Services and Support.

The responsibility of managing the successful integration of services and continuous support on campus rests on the shoulders of Zenobia Davidse and her team of 26.

With the restructuring the range of focus will also be broadened and moved away from the traditional IT functions. Thanks to technology we can now look at differently at datastorage on clouds in stead of conventional storage on harddrives. More attention will be given to testing of new hardware and software, analysis of users’ technological needs, consultations and selfhelp guides for staff.

IT Infrastructure and User support will become your one stop for any enquiries on e-waste, phone issues, the installation of WAP’s, purchasing and much more.

To improve communication with the rest of campus, faculty representatives will be nominated to speed up problem solving within departments. The additional functions and specialist areas of the various members of the IT staff will also be introduced in Bits & Bytes from now on.